- \n
- A comprehensive design brief gives your designer the context they need to understand your goals, audience, brand and deliverables.<\/li>\n
- Sharing the right files upfront, including vector logos, hex codes and font licenses, helps prevent avoidable delays.<\/li>\n
- Agreeing on revision rounds, timelines and out-of-scope changes before work begins keeps the project smoother for everyone.<\/li>\n
- The most helpful design feedback explains the problem you\u2019re seeing, rather than telling the designer exactly how to fix it.<\/li>\n
- Clear, specific communication helps your designer make stronger creative decisions and keeps the collaboration feeling easy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n \n\n\n Tip <\/div>\n\nBefore you can start working with a designer, you need to find one. With 99designs by Vista, you can browse hundreds of high-quality professionals to find the perfect match for your project, or host a design contest and review multiple concepts before making a final decision.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n \n\n\n\n Ready to work with a talented designer? <\/div>\n\n\n 99designs by Vista can help bring your idea to life. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n \n\n Explore now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n![\"Selection](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_557,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1783496567\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/selection-of-hoodies-on-a-rack\/selection-of-hoodies-on-a-rack.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA simple workflow for working with designers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Follow these steps to turn a rough idea into a clear, collaborative design process, from your first brief to final feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Build a creative brief<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Designers aren\u2019t mind readers. No matter how skilled or experienced a professional may be, they cannot bring your vision to life if they don\u2019t have a clear, documented understanding of what that vision entails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore you start collaborating, it\u2019s important that you map out what you need in a design,\u201d advises Tristan. And the best way to do that is to create a design brief<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Design briefs are detailed documents that outline the essential parameters of your project. They serve as the single source of truth for both you and your creative partner. \u201cA thorough and well-thought-out brief gives a designer a launching-off point to build upon,\u201d Tristan adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your design brief should include all the creative elements (like your brand colors and visual style) as well as the business elements (like your target audience, industry, and the core purpose of the design). The more upfront direction you provide, the higher the likelihood you\u2019ll be thrilled with the final product. If you\u2019re starting from scratch, using a graphic design brief template can help you organize your thoughts before the project kicks off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[INSERT CUSTOM ASSET: PDF TEMPLATE – “Creative Brief”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Download our free creative brief template to ensure you capture these vital components before kicking off your next project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Goals:<\/strong> What is the primary objective of this design?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Target audience: <\/strong>Who are you trying to reach? Define their demographics, pain points, and preferences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brand values:<\/strong> What are the three to five adjectives that describe your brand’s personality?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Deliverables:<\/strong> Exactly what files and formats do you expect to receive at the end of the project?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Timeline:<\/strong> What are the critical milestones and the ultimate deadline?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Usage:<\/strong> Where will the design appear: online, in print, on packaging, on apparel or across multiple channels?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Must-haves and no-gos:<\/strong> Are there colors, phrases, icons, symbols or styles the designer should definitely use or avoid?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Demystify brand constraints and asset provision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the most common friction points in cross-team design collaboration is a lack of technical onboarding. Designers need specific assets to do their job correctly. If you hand over low-quality files, you risk project delays and unexpected file conversion charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_800,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1783496572\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/flyer-for-a-poke-shop\/flyer-for-a-poke-shop.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo set your designer up for success from day one, prepare a technical onboarding checklist that includes the following required assets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Vector logos (.SVG or .AI):<\/strong> Never send a low-resolution .JPG or .PNG of your logo for print work. Vector files can be scaled to any size without losing quality, ensuring your branding stays crisp whether it’s on a business card or a billboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Exact hex color codes:<\/strong> Don’t just say your brand color is navy blue. Provide the exact hex codes so your designer can perfectly match your existing visual identity across all platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Commercial font licenses:<\/strong> If your brand uses a specific, premium typography, ensure you provide the font files and verify that you have the appropriate commercial licenses for the designer to use them in your new assets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Existing brand guidelines<\/a>:<\/strong> Share any logo rules, tone-of-voice notes, photography styles, icon systems or examples of past designs that worked well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Final production requirements:<\/strong> If the design will be printed, let your designer know the product size, print method, bleed requirements and any vendor specs upfront.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Think of this step as setting design constraints in a helpful way. Constraints do not box your designer in; they give them the information they need to create something that looks great and works in the real world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Brown](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_576,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1783497043\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/brown-paper-bag-with-simple-luxa-logo\/brown-paper-bag-with-simple-luxa-logo.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Establish an upfront agreement matrix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
An agreement matrix sets explicit guardrails for the project, ensuring both parties are protected and aligned on the logistics. To avoid misunderstandings or unnecessary stress, align on these key constraints:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Revision rounds:<\/strong> Exactly how many rounds of revisions are included in the designer’s quoted fee?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reasonable turnaround windows:<\/strong> Establish how quickly the designer will return updated drafts and, conversely, how quickly you are expected to provide your feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Defining out-of-scope pivots:<\/strong> Clarify what constitutes a major pivot. If you ask for a custom T-shirt design featuring a dog, and after round one, you decide you actually want a cat, the designer needs to know they are allowed to charge extra for this fundamental shift in direction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Decision makers:<\/strong> Decide who gets final approval before the project begins, especially if more than one person on your team will review the work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiven how important communication is in working together and achieving a shared vision, understanding each other\u2019s parameters can make a big difference,\u201d notes Tristan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Provide problem-based feedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
“One thing small business owners shouldn\u2019t do when working with designers is assume they can read their minds,” says Tristan. “Saying you want ‘a design that stands out’ isn\u2019t enough guidance.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most critical skill you can develop as a client is learning how to explain design ideas and give constructive design feedback. The golden rule is to focus on phrasing your critique as user problems, not prescriptive solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you dictate a solution, you limit the designer’s ability to use their expertise. When you state a problem, you empower the designer to explore multiple, often better, visual solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use this framework to pivot your communication style:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of saying…<\/strong><\/td> Try saying…<\/strong><\/td> Why it works<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> \u201cMake it pop.\u201d<\/td> \u201cThe design feels a little quiet for a launch campaign. Can we explore ways to make the main message feel more energetic?\u201d<\/td> It explains the business goal instead of relying on vague taste language.<\/td><\/tr> \u201cI don\u2019t like this color.\u201d<\/td> \u201cThis color feels more playful than our usual brand style. Can we look at options that feel more premium?\u201d<\/td> It connects the critique to brand positioning.<\/td><\/tr> \u201cMake the logo bigger.\u201d<\/td> \u201cI\u2019m worried people may not recognize the brand quickly enough when they see this from a distance.\u201d<\/td> It gives the designer room to solve the visibility problem in different ways.<\/td><\/tr> \u201cThis looks weird.\u201d<\/td> \u201cThe layout feels hard to scan, especially the headline and call-to-action.\u201d<\/td> It identifies the usability issue more clearly.<\/td><\/tr> \u201cCan you just copy this example?\u201d<\/td> \u201cI like the clean spacing and bold headline treatment in this example. Can we create something original with a similar level of simplicity?\u201d<\/td> It shows what you like without asking for imitation.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n These constructive design feedback examples work because they move the conversation from personal preference to project goals. This is useful whether you\u2019re reviewing a flyer, a logo, a custom t-shirt or giving product manager design feedback on a website or app interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can also help to understand visual design vs product design. Visual design focuses on how something looks and feels: color, layout, typography, imagery and brand expression. Product design looks more broadly at how something works for the user, especially in digital experiences. In both cases, good feedback should explain the user problem, the business goal or the brand concern behind your reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Invest in the revision process and stay open<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most design projects will go through a few iterations. If you want the final design to align perfectly with your vision, you must invest time in the revision process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDesign is a collaborative process, and it\u2019s rare that even the best designer will produce something that is absolutely perfect straight away,\u201d explains Tristan. \u201cSo, if your designer turns up a design you don\u2019t like at first, there\u2019s no need to panic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remind yourself that you hired a professional because you wanted an expert’s touch. Keep an open mind when handling creative differences. For instance, you might request a bright neon yellow background, but your designer might return a draft using a muted mustard tone. Instead of demanding an immediate change, ask them about their thought process. They might explain that the neon yellow causes accessibility issues on digital screens or clashes with your secondary brand colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_575,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1783496579\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/array-of-sticker-designs-in-various-colors\/array-of-sticker-designs-in-various-colors.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cDesign is subjective,\u201d says Tristan. \u201cWhile, as a small business owner, you may not like a certain element of a design, like a particular font or color, your designer likely chose it to serve a purpose related to your vision. It\u2019s best to have a conversation to better understand their thought process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best revisions are usually a conversation, not a tug-of-war. If something feels off, ask why the designer made that choice, then explain what is not working from your side. That balance of curiosity and clarity is what turns a first draft into a final design you\u2019re proud to put out into the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to brief a designer for your custom T-shirt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Reasonable turnaround windows:<\/strong> Establish how quickly the designer will return updated drafts and, conversely, how quickly you are expected to provide your feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Exact hex color codes:<\/strong> Don’t just say your brand color is navy blue. Provide the exact hex codes so your designer can perfectly match your existing visual identity across all platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Target audience: <\/strong>Who are you trying to reach? Define their demographics, pain points, and preferences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Goals:<\/strong> What is the primary objective of this design?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Chef](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_683,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1783496590\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/chef-applying-tomato-sauce-to-pizza-base\/chef-applying-tomato-sauce-to-pizza-base.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n